Alexis von Hoensbroech’s arrival has coincided with a pivot toward leisure travel that bolsters the airline’s growing presence in domestic Canadian markets.
The launch of the as yet unnamed business remains subject to agreement with its pilots and any required regulatory approvals. Details of its plans also remain vague but WestJet confirms it will aim to “provide Canadians with no-frills, lower-cost travel options” and will operate with an initial fleet of ten high-density Boeing 737-800s.
Canada’s 150th anniversary is the ideal time to visit a vast country that offers something different at every turn, yet the surprises don’t extend to the downtrodden aviation industry that may soon see its fortunes change.
WestJet will introduce a twice daily domestic service between London Metropolitan Area Airport and Lester B Pearson International Airport in Toronto from the end of March 2016. The link, operated by its regional division WestJet Encore using Bombardier Dash 8-Q400 NextGen turboprop equipment, will complement its existing service to Calgary and seasonal sun charters to the US and Caribbean from London.
The Increased service at Halifax will open new markets to meet pent-up demand, enhance business-to-business connections, and provide more opportunities for tourism, leisure travel and the ability to connect family and friends. And it will lead to employment opportunities within the local aviation industry and increased business for related support organisations.
Nigel Mayes, ASM senior vice president consulting and product development and Mike St-Laurent, senior consultant, explore the dynamics of the Canadian market.This article is from Issue 1, Volume 11 of Routes News for 2015.
WestJet Encore's move eastward is part of a strategic plan to “continue to liberate Canadians in smaller communities from the high cost of air travel,” continuing WestJet’s own pioneering developments in the larger Canadian markets through its 18-year history. The first step of this Eastern Encore expansion saw the introduction of flights to Ontario from June 27, 2014.
The airline currently utilises a 136-seat Boeing 737-700 on its daily Toronto - Québec City route but will replace this with a 78-seat Dash 8-Q400NextGen when Encore takes over the operation of the route from March 15, 2015.
